A climate mitigation action index at the local scale: Methodology and case study

• Published in: Journal of environmental management 2020-04, Vol.260, p.110024-110024, Article 110024
• Main Authors: Messori, Giada, Brocchieri, Federico, Morello, Eugenio, Ozgen, Senem, Caserini, Stefano
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cities; Climate Change; Covenant of mayors; Italy; Local authorities; Mitigation; SEAP implementation index (SII)
• ISSN: 0301-4797; 1095-8630
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.110024

This paper presents a novel climate mitigation action index to evaluate various aspects linked to the implementation of Sustainable Energy Action Plans (SEAP), which define the carbon dioxide emission reduction targets and outline the key actions to achieve these at the municipal level. A SEAP Implementation Index (SII) is developed and applied to study climate change mitigation actions implemented by 102 Municipalities belonging to the Metropolitan City of Milan (Italy) in the framework of the Covenant of Mayors (CoM). The SII is composed of six categories and 16 sub-indicators and results in a final score ranging from 1 to 10. The average rating obtained in the case study area is 4.2, and only eleven Municipalities achieved an evaluation higher than 6. The sensitivity analysis shows the index robustness against variations in the applied weight factors. The population engagement and the management of the initiative, neglected by many Municipalities mostly because of a lack of funding and personnel, are identified as the most critical aspects. Despite the massive participation in the CoM, no quantitative analysis of the SEAPs implementation has been proposed until now and this study shows some severe shortcomings in their application. •A novel climate mitigation action index at the local scale is proposed.•The index is applied to 102 Municipalities in the Metropolitan City of Milan.•Results show low implementation of climate actions; average score is 4.2/10•Main obstacles: lack of funding and personnel, low population engagement.•Shortcomings of local climate mitigation action are quantified and compared.